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CSA #4, 5¢ blue tied neat blue LYNCHBURG / Va.  / JUN / 25 (1862) cds single rate used less than a week before the rate change on July 1st. Addressed to “Mrs. Lucy G(atewood). Moncure, Care of John C. Teller, Esq., 2nd Audt. Office of Va, Richmond, Va.” on unlisted semi-official cover. The front of the cover is very lightly lined in gray and the top back flap has a green embossed oval of the SECOND AUDITORS OFFICE. RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. Displays nicely with the flap up.

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS MONCURE was born 1803. He married LUCY ANN GATEWOOD 1828. Soon after marriage, he become County Surveyor of Caroline County, later a member of the House of Delegates of Virginia and a State Senator. In 1856 or 1857 he become Second Auditor of Virginia, a position he held until his death in March 1862. The Virginia Historical Society has photographs of both from this prominent family on file.        

Post Office Department, Official Business, Chief of the Finance Bureau, Dietz Type IV signed by Dimitry on 3¢ red Star-Die entire to “P.M. Andrews Va.”, cancelled by "Richmond Va. Dec. 3 circular datestamp with matching "FREE" handstamp, docketing up the left side that “The receipt for the stamps has been sent to ?”, barely reduced at left, Very Fine,  Ex-Gunter   

DEPOT ENGINEER’S SUPPLIES, ATLANTA, GA. imprinted semi-official envelope with handwritten notes “Government Funds Survey” and various spreadsheet figures such as “Lodging in Griffin 60.00”. Interesting and scarce imprint which is not listed in Dietz.. The rate to stay in Griffin overnight noted at $60.00 was likely a Confederate inflated rate.  Yet there is no guarantee that that docketing was not added well after the cover was used.  There is some possibility that it is prewar.

CSA #11, 10¢ blue tied neat blue COLUMBIA / S.C. / JUL 26 on State of South Carolina Executive Department semi-official addressed to “Miss Julia de Lagnel, Chester C.H. S.C.”, small repair at lower right cover corner otherwise Very Fine, Ex-Cantey.

PAID with no rate or town marking (Milledgeville), Executive Department/Georgia, fancy scroll imprint (Dietz IV) with additional "Ordnance Office./Official Business." imprint at right on cover addressed to "Howell Cobb, M.C.(Member of Congress), Montgomery, Alabama" in the spring of 1861 while the Confederate Provisional Congress convened. Howell Cobb served as president of said Congress (1861-62) and was a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious. Extremely Fine Gem.

CSA #11b, 10¢ dark blue, large 4 margin copy tied by rare manuscript cancel of “Atlanta, Ga Feb 11, 1865” with State of Georgia/Commissary General's Office/Official Business imprint (similar to Dietz I, but with "Official Business" in top left corner) on cover to “Capt Young Garnett Assistant Commissary, Macon, Ga”   

On September 1, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood evacuated Atlanta, after a four-month siege mounted by Union General William Sherman and ordered all public buildings and possible Union assets destroyed. On September 2, the City was surrendered to Genl. Sherman, who sent a telegram to Washington reading, "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won". He established his headquarters there on September 7, where he stayed for two months. That same day, Sherman ordered the civilian population to evacuate. His forces occupied the city for several months, and he then ordered Atlanta burned to the ground on November 11 in preparation for his punitive march south. After a plea by Father Thomas O'Reilly of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Sherman did not burn the city's churches or hospitals. However, the remaining war resources were then destroyed in the aftermath and in Sherman's March to the Sea. General Sherman departed Atlanta at 7:00 a.m. on November 15. This use is probably after the Confederate re-occupation of Atlanta in 1865 as the Atlanta handstamps had been destroyed.

CSA #11b, 10¢ dark blue, huge 4 margin copy including part of stamp at bottom tied neat bold COLUMBUS / GA. / DEC 10 cds with imprint of State of Georgia / Quartermaster-General's Office (Dietz II) addressed to “Capt. J. A. R. Hanks, Macon, Ga.” A stunning use.

CSA #1, 5¢ green tied by RICHMOND / VA / NOV / 19 / 1861  ds on CSA General Post Office imprinted semi-official cover addressed to “Capn Colin D. Clarke, Care of Quarter Master, Manassas Junction, Va” with “Free/Official Business” crossed out at upper left. Military records show Collin (with two “l”s) Clarke as a Capt in Gen & Staff CS Infantry but that is all. “Virginia Cousins” by George Brown Goode shows Maj. Colin D. Clarke, CSA as a Quartermaster who died during the Peninsula campaign form the effects of exposure while on duty September 1862. Ex-Tate.

RICHMOND / Va. / AUG / 6 / 1861 cds with matching handstamped PAID 5 Cts on lovely semi-official cover with imprint of Inspector General’s Office, Virginia Forces and small Virginia state seal at upper left., addressed to “C.Y. Thomas, Esq, Martinsville, Va.” and docketed “Genl Jno B. Baldwin 5th Augst 1861” with matching letterhead headed Richmond HdQts August 5, 1861, an ALS signed “John B(rown). Baldwin, Ins Genl Va Forces” discussing with frustration the volunteers forces , to wit, “I have thus far found it to be beyond my power to get correct lists of companies to say nothing of individuals”. This wonderful cover is to and from two anti-secession political giants of the era.  Ex-Lemley 

John Brown Baldwin, a lawyer, was a dogged opponent of secession. Brown graduated from University of Virginia in 1839 and was an influential political figure in Virginia during the Civil War era and a leader of the nearly successful Unionist effort to prevent the State's secession. But when Virginia did secede, he remained with his state and was elected to two terms in the Confederate House of Representatives. Following the War, he served two terms as Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. Baldwin then became a leader of the Virginia Conservative party. He narrowly lost the party's gubernatorial nomination in 1868. Much has been written of his career. Brief military record also included; he resigned his commission to accept seat in the House.

C. Y. Thomas was a man of more than ordinary distinction in Virginia, an attorney of ability who served in the Virginia senate before the War and struggled in vain against secession. Despite this, he held the office of commonwealth attorney during the War and was appointed by the Confederacy to distribute supplies to the needy families of Confederate soldiers. After the war he was appointed Military Governor of Virginia.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied RICHMOND / VA. / MAY 6 / 1864 cds on Surgeon General’s Department, State of Virginia imprinted legal size cover with state of Virginia seal at upper left; the only known such imprint; Dietz type Ia. This is from Surgeon Charles Bell Gibson who was the first Surgeon General of Virginia, appointed by Gov. John Letcher as such on April 15, 1861 before Virginia joined the Confederacy. Ex-Lemley, Kohn and Bogg. This is a last day of Virginia independent state use. Addressed to “Dr. R(obert). W(ilson). Gibbes, Surgeon General of S. Carolina, Charleston, S.C.” Significant faults, but a rare use.

CSA #12, 10¢ blue bottom sheet margin copy (small sealed tear at top) tied RICHMOND / Va. / OCT / 2 / 1863 cds on Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Department. (Official Business) imprinted turned cover addressed to “Mrs. A. C. Hopkins, Hampden Sidney College, Prince Edward Co., Va.”; inside use franked with CSA #11 used with manuscript cancel of Paineville, Va. Dec 15th addressed to “Revd A. C. Hopkins, Chaplain 2nd Regt Va Vols, ‘Stonewall’s Brigade’, Johnson’s Division, Ewell’s Corps, A.N.V.” (Army of Northern Virginia). Military bio enclosed of Abner Crump Hopkins, a 26 year old Presbyterian minister from West Virginia when he enlisted. The Second Virginia was organized in Charlestown (West) Va April 18, 1861 – the day after Virginia joined the Confederacy. Wonderful military address – great uses on both sides of this turned cover. Hopkins was involved with the John Brown affair and an alum of Hampden Sidney. Some edge wear strengthened with silking and tip of flap restoration, but overall nice condition and two lovely uses. 

CSA #2, 10¢ blue pair of Paterson prints(small scuffs) tied RICHMOND / Va. 1862 cds on Dietz type 1a CSA POD Auditor’s Office imprinted envelope used unofficially, double weight rate addressed to “W. J. Houston, Esq., Atlanta, Georgia”. Envelope intentionally enlarged to accommodate contents by means of a piece of another envelope. Interesting make-shift and scarce double rate with interesting back story. 

DR. CHAPMON POWELL'S "MEDICINE HOUSE" AND W.J. HOUSTON PLANTATION: About 1826, Dr. Chapmon Powell erected a log cabin beside the Shallowford Trail near this site. His Indian patients called it the "Medicine House". His cabin had been relocated onto this site by 1863 when Powell's son-in-law, Washington Jackson Houston (pronounced Hows-ton) purchased about 600 acres of Powell's farm lands, enlarged the cabin, and built a mill on the South Fork of Peachtree Creek. Powell's original log cabin in now part of the plantation complex at Stone Mountain.

CSA #11, 10¢ blue tied part strike of RICHMOND / Va on Confederate States of America Executive Department, (Official Business.) imprinted cover (top back flap missing) addressed to “Mrs. Mary Taylor Care of Maj. Brown Care of Dr. Austin, Greenville, S.Car” where crossed out and manuscript “For(warde)d 10” to ??fordsville, N.C. with GREENVILLE C.H. / S.C. cds. Austin is likely W. L. M. Austin, Captain of Company,  Davis Guards from Greenville, SC - later surgeon. Scarce forwarded semi-official.

CSA #12, 10¢ blue tied RICHMOND / VA on Confederate States of America Post Office Department Auditor (crossed out) imprinted envelope used unofficially to “Miss Lucy T. Braxton, ‘Chericoke’ Old Church P.O., Hanover Co., Va.”; bottom right of cover restored. Chericoke is the 1700s plantation home built by Declaration of Independence signer Carter Braxton. He was named for his grandfather, Robert Carter, who was nicknamed "King Carter" because he owned 42 plantations. Chericoke burned down while he was in Philadelphia serving in the Continental Congress, but it was rebuilt it in the late 1830s by one of his sons and is as it stands today. De La Rue imprint under the flap on verso. The 02.16.16 on the front is believed to be a museum record number.

CSA #12, 10¢ blue with large to huge margins all around tied RICHMOND / Va. / JUL / 5 (1864) cds on State of Virginia, Executive Department. imprinted envelope with “Manufactured by Waterlow & Sons 65 to 68 London” under top flap with embossed tip. Addressed to “C.Y. Thomas, Esq, Martinsville, Henry Co., Va.” Signed on verso by former owner Peter W. W. Powell. To and from two political giants -" Extra Billy" Smith and C.Y. Thomas.

Governor (and General) William Smith, nicknamed “Extra Billy” (September 6, 1797 – May 18, 1887) was a lawyer, congressman, two time Governor of Virginia and one of the oldest Confederate generals. He established a line of United States mail and passenger post coaches through Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia in 1831. It was in this role that he received his nickname. Given a contract by the administration of President Andrew Jackson to deliver mail between Washington, D.C. and Milledgeville, Georgia. Smith extended it with numerous spur routes, all generating extra fees. During an investigation of the Post Office department, Smith's extra fees were publicized and he became known as "Extra Billy." At the beginning of the war, Smith declined to accept a commission as brigidier general because he rightly admitted he was "wholly ignorant of drill and tactics" but accepted a colonel’s commission. He served as Governor for the second time from January 1, 1864, to the end of the war. His extensive and diguished biography is easily found online.

C. Y. Thomas was a man of more than ordinary distinction in Virginia, an attorney of ability who served in the Virginia senate before the War and struggled in vain against secession. Despite this, he held the office of commonwealth attorney during the War and was appointed by the Confederacy to distribute supplies to the needy families of Confederate soldiers. After the war he was appointed Military Governor of Virginia.

U.S. 3¢ star-die entire with Confederate States of America Post Office Department Official Business Chief of the Finance Bureau type IV imprint used with type 6I RICHMOND / VA. / JAN / 15 (1864) cds and straightline FREE, signature of Jno. L. Harrell, addressed to “P.M. Pioneers Mills Cabarrus Co NC”, bit reduced at right.

U.S. 3¢ Nesbitt entire with Confederate States of America Post Office Department Official Business Chief of the Finance Bureau type V imprint used with type 6 RICHMOND / VA. / MAR / 17 (1864) cds and straightline FREE, signed Jno L. Harrell on official business addressed to “P.M. Harrington, Harnett Co., NC” with docketing up left side “Instructions in regard to Confederate money”. Backstamp of illustrious former postal stationery student Marcus White. 

RICHMOND / VA. / AUG / 7 / 1861 cds and straightline FREE used on Confederate States of America Post Office Department Official Business Chief of the Appointment Bureau and signed B.N. Clements on blue legal size envelope, unlisted in New Dietz, addressed to “Rueben J. Thorn, Esq., Fredericksburg, Va.” with shaky docketing in elderly script (Thorn, the revered postmaster, was in his eighties at that time) “Forms of Oaths Postmaster Mail Messengers of Confederacy” with rare original “Mail Messenger Service” receipt, although not of proper date. It is dated 31 march 1862 from R. J. Thorn for $60 who delivered first quarter of 1862 obligation to Joshua Hudson, messenger for delivery to the Auditor, Joshua, apparently unable to write who acknowledged receipt with “his mark”. Envelope docketing indicates the original enclosure may have related to the form of an oath for the postmaster mail messenger. Cover with edge tears and faults. 

CSA #12c, 10¢ greenish blue tied RICHMOND / VA. / JAN / 8 (1864) cds on cover with manuscript “C.S. Patent Office Official Business” to “Oscar J. C. Stuart, Haynesville, Ala” with docketing up left side “Rufus R. Rhodes, Jan 6th 1864.” Rhodes was made the Commissioner of Patents On May 22, 1861 and served the duration. The Patent Office under the Department of Justice issued 274 patents until March 21, 1865. The Office was destroyed by fire set by invading Federal troops on April 3, 1865. Top back flap missing and slightly reduced at top. .

RICHMOND / Va. / NOV / 20 / 1861 cds with matching handstamped PAID 5 Cts on General Head-Quarters Adjutant General’s Office-Virginia with state seal at left, New Dietz imprint type V, addressed to “Col. No R. Copeland, 59 R(egt) Suffolk, Nansemond Co” (now Suffolk County), with pencil docketing “Robert Skinner on the Keeling favor”. The 59th Virginia Volunteers were under General Wise. After the war, Copeland was President of the Farmer’s Bank of Suffolk. Manuscript “Ch” (charge) and “R” which seem to indicate the indistinct postmark as November 20, 186. Postmaster Steger eliminated charge accounts upon taking office in September 1862 from Postmaster Bigger. Top back flap missing, sealed tear at left into state seal and small tear at top right not into imprint. Ex-Lemley.

CSA #7, 5¢ blue pair used with manuscript “C Ct House (Campbell Court House) 22 Jany 63” cancel to “Mrs. Mary White Shober, Salisbury, N. Carolina” with large spectacular and unique imprint of Campbell (County) Clerk’s Office / Jno. D. Alexander, Clerk which cover back flaps. Cover tears along right side and bit of top back flap. 1994 CSA certificate #02584. A stunning and rare imprint. Click on thumbnails individually to enlarge

 RICHMOND / Va. / MAR / 4 / 1862 cds with matching DUE 5 on Official Business imprinted legal size envelope with no imprinted designation of origin - signed by “C(harles) B(ell) Gibson, Surg(eon) PACS (Provisional Army Confederate States) at upper left. Gibson was in charge of General Hospital No. 1 in Richmond and the first Surgeon General of Virginia, appointed by Gov. John Letcher as such on April 15, 1861 before Virginia joined the Confederacy. Addressed to “Capt. F(rancis). P. Miller, Company K 21st NC Regiment, Manassas” (Army of Northern Virginia) of Forsyth County, NC, who was later killed at Sharpsburg at age 29. His general said of him “a brave soldier, he fought in many battles.”

U.S. #26 tied RICHMOND / VA. / MAY 6 / 1864 cds on Surgeon General’s Department, State of Virginia imprinted legal size cover with state of Virginia seal at upper left; the only known such imprint; Dietz type Ia. This is from Surgeon Charles Bell Gibson who was the first Surgeon General of Virginia, appointed by Gov. John Letcher as such on April 15, 1861 before Virginia joined the Confederacy. Ex-Lemley, Kohn and Bogg. This is a last day of Virginia independent state use. Addressed to “Dr. R(obert). W(ilson). Gibbes, Surgeon General of S. Carolina, Charleston, S.C.” Significant faults, but a rare use.

CSA #11, 10¢ blue tied RICHMOND / Va. / JUL / 16 (1864) cds, type 5f postmark with reverse bar under day logo for year, on CSA Treasury Department, type IIa imprinted semi-official envelope with De La Rue & Co. London embossing on reverse, top back flap missing. $600.

CSA #12 (AD), 10¢ blue bordering on opaline shade with four huge margins, tied RICHMOND / VA. / JUN / 20 / 1863 cds on blue cover with imprint of Confederate States of America War Department, Engineer Bureau, Official Business  to “Mr. James Fitz, Keswick Depot, Albemarle Co, Va.” A real beauty. $700.

CSA #12 (KB),10¢ deep blue tied RICHMOND / VA. / APR / 1 (1864)cds on immaculate blue cover with type I imprint of Confederate States of America Bureau of Conscription, Official Business, stamp with 4 huge margins, addressed to “Mrs. Louisa B. Turner, Care of J. Lamb Wilcox Esq. Charles City C.H., Virginia”. $700.

CSA #12 (AD), 10¢ blue (4 margins) tied CHARLESTON / S.C. / SEP / 27 cds on pristine cover with imprint of Confederate States of America Head Quarters, Department of So. Ca., Ga. and Fla., Official Business. Addressed to “Miss Julia McLord, Greenville, South Carolina”. $500.

CSA #12 (AD), 10¢ blue (3 margins) tied SAVANNAH / GA. / Paid / DEC / 30 (1863) cds on cover with imprint of Confederate States of America Head Quarters Military District of Georgia, Ordnance Bureau, Official Business. Not currently listed in New Dietz., Addressed to “Mrs. J. L. Boatwright, Columbia, S.C. Original 2-page personal letter on matching imprinted letterhead (illegal – should be official business only on such letterhead). The letter is from Capt. John L. Boatwright, a staff officer in the Confederate States service, to his wife saying, in part, “I have been riding all having…inspecting all the Batteries on the coast around this city...” plus lengthy passionate “missing you”. Letter has one short fold reinforced with archival tape and some fold splits. Very nice showy and obviously scarce matching pair. $700.

CSA #7, 5¢ blue vertical pair tied RICHMOND / VA. / DEC / 4 cds on Confederate States of America Executive Department, (Official Business.) imprinted semi-official cover addressed to “Mrs. Mary J. Bromlee, Greenville, Augusta County, Va.”;  flap tears extending over the top to the front above but not into the imprint. $650.

CSA #6, 5¢ blue single tied RICHMOND / VA. / MAY / 2 (1862) cds on type I Confederate States of America Quartermaster General’s Office imprinted semi-official envelope (small legal size) to “Capt. J. S. Powell, Asst. Quarter Master, Gordonsville, Va.” Gordonsville was a major supply depot and railroad junction in central Virginia. Few tiny edge tears otherwise Very Fine. $450.

CSA #11, 10¢ blue tied RICHMOND / Va. / MAY / 14 / 1863 cds on type IV imprinted semi-official of Confederate States of America Surgeon General’s Office to “Asst Surg J.D. Thomson, Lynchburg, Va.”; this is a turned cover with inside use franked by pair of 5¢ blue tied some faded shade of Lynchburg cancel (blue? brown?) to Richmond. Exploded sides for display and slightly reduced at bottom with bottom flap missing. Very showy and scarce. $500.

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RICHMOND / Va. / AUG / 7 / 1862 cds with matching PAID 2 drop rate on legal-sized imprinted semi-official of Confederate States of America Surgeon General’s Office. Addressed to “Surg(eon) J(ohn) H. Hunter, 42d Regt. Va. Vol. Richmond, Va” (Army of Northern Virginia) which was then forwarded to Gordonsville, Va. Cover has competently restored edge wear. Noted by the late Bill Bogg as “Ex-Dietz Coll(ection” (he handled the collection). Surgeon Hunter (military records included) was originally mustered into the 3rd Arkansas Infantry, transferred to the 2nd Virginia Infantry and finally to the 42nd Virginia. He was initially Surgeon in Charge at Warm Springs where it notes he established hospital and received the sick. He was wounded at Cedar Run, Va in the left foot. He was taken prisoner at Bristol, Tennessee. Most of his war service seemed to be in the area of West Virginia. A wonderful ANV  surgeon’s use further enhanced by the scarce 2¢ rate. $700.

CSA #13, 20¢ green bottom sheet margin single tied ABBEVILLE / S.C. / FEB / 7 on legal-sized imprinted semi-official of Confederate States of America Head-quarters Conscript Department, Columbia, S.C., Official Business. Addressed to “Lt. J. T. Aldrich, A.E.O., Columbia, S.C.” Although I am not sure, I speculate that A.E.O. is “Assistant Enlistment Officer” or something similar. This is a spectacular stamp and use from the collection of the late William A. Fox. $1,000

RICHMOND / Va. / NOV / 1 cds with matching straightline FREE on Confederate States of America Post Office Department, Chief of the Finance Bureau official used on 3¢ star-die entire and signed by A. Dimitry, head of same. Official Business to the postmaster at Dry Creek, S.C., small edge tears acrss the top and flap faults otherwise Fine $500.

CSA #8, 2¢ brown red tied on blue legal size cover by a partial strike RICHMOND / VA. / MAY cds, cover contained court documents and is addressed to “Clerk of the Hasting Court, Staunton, Va.”, manuscript "Due 8cts" added to make up the 10¢ rate (quite scarce thus) "State of Virginia Executive Department" semi-official imprint at the lower left, embossed imprint of Waterlow & Sons London under the backflap. Cover slightly folded down all around to make more presentable due to edge wear. Ex-Weill and Cipolla  $2,200. Also listed in the CSA #8 cover section.

CSA #7, 5¢ blue pair tied RICHMOND / Va. cds on legal-sized CSA Subsistance Bureau imprint semi-official nelveope to “Maj. W. I. Hawks, C.C. Guineys, Va.” with docketing “Requisitions for stationery 1863 2nd quarter” with the actual original “Requistion for Stationery for the use of the Commissaries of D.H. Hills Div for the 2d Qr in 1863 with a detailed list of specifics such as blotting pad, steel pens, mucilage, carmine ink, etc. and stating “I certify that the above requisition is correct and necessary for the use of the Commissaries of this Division and that none of the articles above specified have been drawn for the time required. B. C. Adams Maj & Co D.H. Hills Div”. A wonderful original document and cover. $550.

Wells Joseph Hawks was in the 2nd Va Infantry as a Capt. And then transferred to the CSA Commissary Dept in Field & Staff – Stonewall Jackson’s Chief of Commissary and later on the staff of Generals Ewell, Early and Lee. Detailed bio enclosed which includes his photo.

CSA #3, 2¢ green tied RICHMOND / Va. / MAR / 3 / 1863 cds (Powell 4a) on legal size drop cover with Confederate S(tates) Navy Departmen(t) imprint (Dietz type III). Cover reduced at right partially into imprint. Manuscript "Missent to Augusta, Ga." with Augusta, Ga., Mar 10 cds, manuscript "Due 8" at top for an underpayment of postage; cover wrinkling, some edge. An unusual and unique use with 2007 C.S.A. certificate. $1,500. Also listed in the CSA #3 cover section.